Mini Hippo Dog Breed: Everything You Need to Know 2023

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Curious about the new designer dog making its way into people’s hearts? Have you ever heard of the mini hippo dog breed before? If the answer is no, you are not alone.

Many people are unaware of this dog; it is the newest designer dog breed and has gained popularity lately.

Mini Hippo Dogs have large heads that look like hippos, called Mini Hippo Dog.

Maybe your heart has already been stolen, and you want to know more about this little buddy?

To learn more about this new designer dog breed, you must first understand the characteristics of the hybrid parent breeds.

So, what is a mini hippo dog mixed with?

The Mini Hippo Dog mixes the Chinese Shar Pei breed and the American cocker spaniel breed. This mix is also often referred to as a Cocker Pei.

This article will discuss all aspects of this puppy, from their disposition and character traits to their pedigree and health care system.

You can find answers to most of the most critical questions about the mini hippo dog breed.

Let’s start.

What is a Mini Hippo Dog Breed?

Mini Hippo designer dog crosses between Chinese Shar Pei parent and Cocker Spaniel, but no one knows the origins. Mini Hippo Dog got its wrinkled head and shoulders from its parent Shar-Pie and the friendly and soft face from its other parent Cocker Spaniels.

They are also known as Cocker-Pei, and they get the genes from both parents; cute appearance and friendly face. If you take your cocker pie for a walk in a park, it will grab the attention of others.

When you think of those two individual races, they seem far from compatible; however, their offspring seem to have the best of both their qualities and their quirks. On the one hand, we have the gentle and family-oriented Cocker Spaniels.

Let’s take a closer look at this puppy first.

History & Parentage of the Mini Hippo

Mixed breed dogs like the mini Hippo dog are quite a modern trend. They are known as ‘designer breeds‘ trying to achieve a good blend of the characteristics of the parents.

And it’s quite a controversial topic! As for the mini hippo, since this mix is a relatively recent creation, we have to look at the parents to understand its history better.

American Cocker Spaniel

The cocker spaniels have won their way into many hearts and have become one of the most popular dog breeds. It is a very easygoing puppy with a love for play.

Young children can also benefit from the spaniel spirit. A spaniel will love running around the backyard but is ready for even more lively activities.

As a sports breed, the American cocker spaniel enjoys sports but does not need “to burn off energy” that some other breeds can.

Grooming should be seriously considered as most spaniels have a beautiful long coat. The extra time is worth it!

The Shar-Pei

The Shar-Pei is the other half of the mini hippo. This ancient breed comes from China, and their ancestors date back to 200 BC. This extremely loyal dog protects their family and territory.

The Shar-Pei is believed to have been originally bred to protect and guard the upper-class citizens. They were also used for hunting and herding, and in later years, they were also bred for fighting. Many of these old properties still exist. The stocky little dog with the short-snouted pup makes a great family dog as long as a firm hand is held.

This dog is calm, good with children, and very intelligent. They can also show detachment and independence. Where the Cocker Spaniel lives to please you, the Shar-Pei exists to protect you, whether you need it or not.

Like the Cocker Spaniel, early training is a must for this small dog; otherwise, they take over the house. They can be stubborn, but they are always loving and fiercely loyal. Not surprisingly, they are not fond of strangers or other dogs.

Mini Hippo Dog Appearance

If you need a reminder, this is a cute-looking dog.

Mini Hippopotamus Puppies look a lot like baby hippos, hence their name—only more fun, lighter, and of course more as a pet.

A mini hippo dog full grown can reach anywhere from 45 to 50 inches and weigh 40 to 65 pounds. So they are typically small to medium-sized dogs, as you might expect.

This little dog borrows the Chinese Shar Pei’s wrinkly and “square” face but still has that underlying cuteness of cocker spaniels. It has small floppy ears and an upwardly curled tail that many breeders usually cut off in their youth.

The coat color depends on the ancestors (breeds). Although it certainly always has green eyes. Yet you immediately see that this sweet dog has a silky soft, and soft-to-the-touch coat.

Temperament

When it comes to this breed’s temperament, they have opposite traits that collide to create a loyal, intelligent, and loving disposition. Check out the most dominant traits of the Mini Hippo below:

One study even found that veterinarians classified the Shar-Pei breed as “very aggressive.”

While another study found that the English Cocker Spaniel had a “particularly high risk of aggression.” So keep in mind what type of Cocker is used in your mix and consider whether you have time to socialize this mix properly.

Each dog develops its personality based on the care of its owner and individual factors, but for the most part, this breed will exhibit most of these traits to some degree.

Nature & Behaviour

Mini Hippo Dogs are very friendly and pleasant, and they love to play with children and other pets just like any other breed. It is the best family dog breed that brings happiness to the whole family. The Mini Hippo Dogs are very independent and at the same time very affectionate and don’t like to be left alone. This kind of bipolar behavior and the nature of Mini Hippo Dogs are inherited from both parents.

Mini Hippo Dog’s independent nature is plain to see, and they test the owner’s general patience. While this breed is considered intelligent, they sometimes get very stubborn for no reason. Owners of this breed can easily understand if their dog is not very happy as they produce loud and distinct barks. They also bark when they play, and some dogs bark when they see strangers walking close to their owner’s house.

Some of these mini hippos become very possessive of their owners, which in some cases leads to jealousy. They are excellent watchdogs and the best companions, and they faithfully guard their owner’s home.

Mini Hippo Training and Obedience

Fortunately, the mini hippo also has a relaxed and calm side that responds quickly to positive reinforcement training.

The personality and obedience of this breed would depend on the owner. Since the mini hippo is a strong-willed dog, assert yourself as the alpha during training to positively overcome its Shar-Pei legacy.

It is also advisable to start training and socializing with family members and other dogs from the beginning. Make sure to stick to a firm and consistent exercise routine, and you shouldn’t have any posture issues coming from your hippo dog.

With this in mind, this breed has been trained to be a watchdog, sister, and shepherd. Even though there is no official evidence of a service dog, I’m sure he can handle the task.

The Hippopotamus dog only needs light exercise every other day in terms of exercise. It tires relatively faster than other breeds and can even flatten out when worn.

Heath, Care, and Grooming

Mini Hippopotamus grooming is very similar to other breeds but can vary from dog to dog. Additionally, keep in mind that this is a reasonably new breed on the ground so that that time will tell about ongoing care tactics.

However, let’s get to the basics.

Health

The mini hippo generally enjoys robust health, although there are a few health issues to attention:

• Allergies: The mini hippo dog full grown is known to suffer from mild to moderate seasonal allergies, although this is the case. Nothing that cannot be treated with the help of your vet. As we said about nutrition, some puppies experience wheat and corn sensitivities. A grain-free diet is usually recommended.
• Ear Infections: Another common condition in this breed is ear infections. Allergies or other factors can cause this. Ear cleaning should be done once a week or when the wax is visible to reduce the risk of infection.
• Eye Problems: Eye infections are common but can usually be treated with ointments and remove any visible gunk. Unfortunately, this pup’s more severe cherry eye is also a common condition, and surgery is needed to recover.
• Teeth: This breed is known for its sharp teeth, although they remain robust with regular chew toys. And a healthy diet. However, keep in mind that bad breath is common.

These health issues aside, Mini Hippos are healthy, happy puppies that your vet should check regularly.

Grooming

Another important aspect of care is grooming. This depends in part on the coat your mini hippo dog inherits.

The American cocker spaniel will shed moderately, while the Chinese Shar Pei will shed seasonally. So this may not be the best breed for allergy sufferers.

The amount your mini hippo puppies shed depends on the type of coat. Some will therefore require more intensive care than others.

But all species should have their ears checked regularly for inflammation or waxy build-up.

Make sure you trim their nails regularly.

Diet

A fixed diet consistent with age, energy level, and moderate appetite would be sufficient for a mini hippo breed. Never settle for lesser quality dog food in the process to cut costs, or it could cost you more in the long run.

In general, two equal servings of meals can go a long way in keeping this cute little dog healthy and active daily. Finally, non-grain meals and cutting portions into smaller pieces help prevent choking.

Do Mini Hippo Dogs Make Good Family Pets?

As long as they are socialized and trained early, the mini hippo can make a great family pet.

However, their temperament and appearance can be challenging to predict.

This breed is best for a family with plenty of time to spend on training, socialization, exercise, and grooming.

There are quite a few health problems that this mixed breed can be prone to. So you might decide you’d instead save a Cocker Pei.

Let’s find out more about this option.

Mini Hippo Dog Rescue

Mini hippo dog rescue can be a rewarding experience. Many dogs are given up for reasons beyond their control, so not all rescue dogs will have defiant temperaments or destructive, aggressive habits.

But some can. So it would help if you spent time getting to know a rescue dog and asking lots of questions to make sure it is suitable for your home.

Especially with a mixed breed like this, it can be very protective.

Rescuing a dog is often much cheaper than buying a puppy. While rescue dogs are often older, it means your pup is more likely to come home with some good habits, such as being house trained already!

And shelters can tell you a lot about the personality of the dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)